Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,366
Another SO (PWCS9ACF) knock off, but appears to be decent:
$33 bucks.
SKU #70400
$33 bucks.
SKU #70400
Last edited:
New Icon Wire Stripper/Cutter/Crimper
- Thread starter Steel_Rain
- Start date
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Six just arrived at the 6th Ave store but they don't have them unpacked yet and I'm leaving in a couple hours - be back the end of the week, hopefully. Might pick up a pair then if they still have any in stock. Looks interesting. 01/19/26 11:46 PST
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Again, I wish Harbor Freight would release a smaller size of this tool instead of opting for a Snap on Clone. Even in snap on trim, I think it's too big but, that's just me. 
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
8" with the same features, or delete some sizes and take it down further?Again, I wish Harbor Freight would release a smaller size of this tool instead of opting for a Snap on Clone. Even in snap on trim, I think it's too big but, that's just me.
MWEric
Well-known member
With all these copies that they come out with, isn’t HF more or less saying that everything Snap On makes is perfect and requires absolutely no modification or revision. Pretty flattering to Snap On.
OP
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,366
Good point, but that will put SO out of business at some point if they copy everything.
"Why buy the Cow, when you can get the milk for free (almost)".
bwringer
Well-known member
Oh no, this again. 
I don't do a lot of electricalizing, and I despise this style of wire stripper. So not for me, no matter who makes it.
But if this sort of thing is the sort of thing that you like, I think HF is to be applauded for making it available to those of us who don't want to chase down a Snap-On man and develop a warm, loving, intimate relationship in order to perhaps someday obtain the rights to consummate our passion by paying $80 or more for pliers.
Snap-On stuff is great, yes. Expensive, sure, no problem. It's the process of laying hands on the stuff by luring the attention of an elusive man in a truck that makes it weird.
It is pretty damn big ... Icon does have this 7" wire stripper/cutter/crimper:
I don't do a lot of electricalizing, and I despise this style of wire stripper. So not for me, no matter who makes it.
But if this sort of thing is the sort of thing that you like, I think HF is to be applauded for making it available to those of us who don't want to chase down a Snap-On man and develop a warm, loving, intimate relationship in order to perhaps someday obtain the rights to consummate our passion by paying $80 or more for pliers.
Snap-On stuff is great, yes. Expensive, sure, no problem. It's the process of laying hands on the stuff by luring the attention of an elusive man in a truck that makes it weird.
It is pretty damn big ... Icon does have this 7" wire stripper/cutter/crimper:
d.mcfarland
Well-known member
Too big for residential electricians, auto mechanics, and maybe some commerical/industrial users. So, at that size, I'm not sure who they are marketing it towards to be honest.
Shoreline_
Well-known member
I made a thread about this before. It's like companies who copy Rolex and the people who buy them. That's harbor freight and its customers in a nutshell who buy all the snappy / knipex rip off stuff and say it's just as good. I'm sure it is. I'm sure a fake Rolex tells time just as well (not sarcasm).
Meursault74
Well-known member
I agree on that style. I have an old all in one of that style, not the quality as the one the subject of this thread though. Got it first long ago when starting out and then realized the limitations. I now have separate strippers and crimpers so that the action is at the end. If everything is out in the open, then those combo can work though (which isn't usually the case when I'm fixing something).Oh no, this again.
I don't do a lot of electricalizing, and I despise this style of wire stripper. So not for me, no matter who makes it.
But if this sort of thing is the sort of thing that you like, I think HF is to be applauded for making it available to those of us who don't want to chase down a Snap-On man and develop a warm, loving, intimate relationship in order to perhaps someday obtain the rights to consummate our passion by paying $80 or more for pliers.
Snap-On stuff is great, yes. Expensive, sure, no problem. It's the process of laying hands on the stuff by luring the attention of an elusive man in a truck that makes it weird.
It is pretty damn big ... Icon does have this 7" wire stripper/cutter/crimper:
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Every time they release a new plier I think the same thing. Why copy everything when you can make an in between size and really grab customers? I’m assuming HF is just lazy.Again, I wish Harbor Freight would release a smaller size of this tool instead of opting for a Snap on Clone. Even in snap on trim, I think it's too big but, that's just me.
seber
Well-known member
Actually, having dealt with both Rolex and high end fake, I would say that for most people, the fake will keep better time. Due to the fact that it can be adjusted by anyone who knows what they are doing. Rolex has to go to a Rolex center for adjustment. Sort of the same deal with Snap-on. Warranty is harder for most people.
So they should just go out of their way to sell something look different than what is popular?
That makes perfect sense
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Quite the opposite. They should actually do some real work and design something that is a different size than Snappy and every other Amazon company. You’re marketing yourself as a tool company, so get to work and put out some new stuff instead of being intellectually lazy and launching the same stuff with a different brand stamped on it. Big *** strippers are stupid. I bet most guys, myself included, would prefer a smaller size that’s more nimble but instead we get Snappy Part 2 the Imported Boogaloo.So they should just go out of their way to sell something look different than what is popular?
That makes perfect sense
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I still prefer separate strippers and crimpers. I find that the stripper/crimper combination doesn't give me enough leverage to crimp.
rooster59
Well-known member
That thing is wa-ay too big for me. Can't get it into any tight space I'm used to. Biggest it strips is 10? Should be 6 stranded for it's size.
I saw a YouTube video featuring HF's "senior tool engineer".
He didn't look old enough to start shaving yet. He does appear to be able to order Snap On tools online, receive them, put them in a box, and send them to Taiwan with a note "Make these--cheap!" Which is apparently all HF is looking for.
whateg01
Well-known member
I know a bunch of people who have them. I'll be helping them with something and ask if they have any strippers so they pull them out and I say I hate them. Usually get a reply like, "oh, I never use them so I don't know if they are any good."
OP
Steel_Rain
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2024
- Messages
- 1,366
I've said this many times and I'll say it again. Nothing...and I mean NOTHING gets the discussion "going" faster then these two words on GJ...
Harbor Freight
Harbor Freight
Agree that this thing is too damn big. I'm sure it'll sell, but the copy of the 7" model seems ideal for automotive (I have the Carlyle version); not sure about this monstrosity's use in automotive repair at 9" long. Given the slow rollout of the Icon pliers, a few a year, probably any other Snap On pliers would've made more sense to copy as far as sales potential. Basically, WTF were they thinking picking this item to copy?
OMG that video! Couldn't get through it lol. Guy is all over the map.
Don't think I would use those strippers much. I actually like that style stripper but prefer the smaller sizes. I wouldn't use them for crimping. Maybe cutting screws every once in a while.
Don't think I would use those strippers much. I actually like that style stripper but prefer the smaller sizes. I wouldn't use them for crimping. Maybe cutting screws every once in a while.
Sooooooo, which one's do they use, that they would hand you something different?
whateg01
Well-known member
If I'm doing the work for them, they probably aren't using anythingSooooooo, which one's do they use, that they would hand you something different?
Maybe ,but I think they are in business to make money, not to be different than everybody else, but ok.
Here ya go, they already got ya covered.
Sound's like it's 5 o'clock somewhere.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Strippers = Knipex, Weicon, Felo or Jonard. Self adjusting and strip from the front instead of the side.
whateg01
Well-known member
Don't think I've ever seen them on stage.
But you've seen Mercedes, Porsche, Crystal, Diamond, Sapphire.....
Did you just swing by the store and get lucky they not only had them but also knew what you were asking for?
I don't even see them on the website yet.
This type is my favorite type
Quick, easy and gets in tight spots
www.weidinger.eu
Quick, easy and gets in tight spots
STRIPMASTER® wire stripper, 0.13 - 1.31 mm² (AWG 26 - 16)
The STRIPMASTER, AWG 26-16 wire stripper from IDEAL impresses with its precise workmanship and high functionality. Developed for professional applications, this tool enables effortless and clean stripping of a wide range of conductors and strands. Easy h…
www.weidinger.eu
HF has those too under the Doyle brand. You can also find Milwaukee and Klein variants, etc. to if you have a brand preference.
You’ve never seen the crowd of engineers cheering at a SpaceX launch? None of them look like they’re over age 30.
Besides, an engineer gets paid to engineer something. Maybe in the case of this wire stripper, Harbor freight doesn’t see any point in “reinventing the wheel.”
That engineer might help develop other products that they have built overseas or do some kind of durability test testing on existing products
We all know they are most likely a good product
purplezr2
Well-known member
I wonder if they have the same flaw my Snap-on ones have, where the sliding locker doesn't really fit in the notch to keep the pliers closed. They pop open with just the movement of he drawer opening and closing a few times
Last edited:
neophyte
Well-known member
Yes, $30 slip joint pliers are “cheap”.
YesIHaveAHammer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2025
- Messages
- 842
He might be what's called a "value engineer" - someone who's sole job is to reduce the production cost of something someone else has designed.
They exist in construction. They will for example be finding opportunities such as reducing the number of windows or putting smaller ones in, reducing the number of electrical sockets, using cheaper building materials, etc.
In the case of these pliers, value engineering doesn't seem terribly hard - take another company's design, have it produced in a country with lower labour costs and fewer regulations.
Compared to the price of the one they knocked off, yes, $30 is cheap.
bwringer
Well-known member
Agreed; why make and sell a competitor for that unwieldy 9" one? Seems odd.
I thought of the Carlyle version as well. (Icon has a 7" version too.)
So how come the Snap-On zealots aren't up in arms about those Carlyle "clones"? They've been around a long time. There are over 6,000 Napa stores but only about 1,600 Harbor Freight stores. What about THAT potential flood of "fakes"? I suppose they'll need to rush to the sides of their weeping Snap-On truck drivers to dry their tears with more $100 bills.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
This type is my favorite type
Quick, easy and gets in tight spots
STRIPMASTER® wire stripper, 0.13 - 1.31 mm² (AWG 26 - 16)
The STRIPMASTER, AWG 26-16 wire stripper from IDEAL impresses with its precise workmanship and high functionality. Developed for professional applications, this tool enables effortless and clean stripping of a wide range of conductors and strands. Easy h…
These are the best if you're doing something automotive related. My recommendation is to spent an extra $10 or so and grab the wire stop. This gets you clean and consistent strips every time, which is important when you're wiring multi-cavity connectors.